Like Breath for Water

It wasn’t until 70 minutes into my 90-minute practice that I realized I hadn’t sipped from my water more than twice. Ten minutes into the floor series and I hadn’t taken any of the opportunities to partake in the wetting of my lips. Well, technically they (my lips) were already wet…with sweat. I was dripping head to toe, and actually wasn’t really aware of it. I wasn’t really aware of anything. Yes, I slid and floated from posture to posture with the class, I even adjusted according to my instructor’s direction, but I never reached for my water bottle.

I was there, completely present in the moment, and yet so completely far away. I was focused on one thing and one thing only: the rhythm of my breath. I sucked air in deep through my nose and slowly allowed it to make its way out.

Inhale; lift up into locus pose; 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, exhale, release.

This steady in and out of my breath sustained me. I felt solid like a tree and yet was limber like a noodle. I had command of my postures rather than my postures having command over me. It’s been weeks since I’ve felt that sort of release. My breath became the controlling factor in my practice. It dictated and spoke to my muscles; it told my stomach to tighten, my legs to lock; my arms to relax. My breath washed through me. It hydrated my organs and bones; it loosened the tightness in my back and released the furrow on my brow. It felt the day, no the week (and actually the week before it) fall off of me. It was such a peaceful release that I felt my eyes well up.

As my practice approached its end I felt fatigue hit, I began to succumb but my breath fought and won the battle. I finished my practice a new person, with a new body. I felt energized and peaceful. Even now, as I sit up in my bed three hours past my “bed time” I feel sustained, productive, and clear of mind. It’s this connection to the breath that energizes our lives, a connection that, when realize, is more powerful than sleep, and more hydrating than water.